King Conservation District to release Regional Food System Strategic Initiative Grant RFPs in Fall 2017

As part of its Regional Food System Program, King Conservation District (KCD) will be soliciting Request for Proposals (RFPs) this fall to provide targeted investments intended to address key food system issues identified through broad stakeholder outreach and input of the Regional Food System Program Advisory Committee Working Group.
For details click HERE.

LET’S GO ON A HUGEL HUNT!

KCD has prepared a self-guided tour map of Hügelkultur sites across King County. Now the Hugel-curious can see different forms of Hugelkultur (from urban to rural, from in-ground to raised containers). Visit 6 of the 10 sites and receive a Hugelkultur t-shirt (while supplies last). For details click HERE.

Historic Farm Fish Flood Agreement Signed

Josh Monaghan, King Conservation District Director of Food and Farm Programs, had good reason to smile when he attended the recent Fish, Farm, Flood Agreement signing in Carnation. Josh actively participated in the more than three-year planning process, and coordinated a KCD outreach team that met with Snoqualmie Valley farmers and community members to help achieve consensus on the final agreement.Read more about the agreement process HERE.See photos of the signing ceremony HERE.

Attend CHOMP!

CHOMP! supports King County Executive Dow Constantine’s Local Food Initiative by celebrating local farmers, chefs and restaurants using locally-sourced food, and local organizations specializing in healthy food, sustainability, and social justice. Join KCD on Saturday, August 19 at King County’s Marymoor Park for a day of local food, live music, green living workshops and activities for the whole family. More information about 2017 CHOMP! HERE.

KCD to Provide Expanded Services for Rural Landowners

The King Conservation District was recently awarded funding to implement four conservation programs to benefit King County rural landowners and working lands over the next three years. The new and expanded programs include enhanced agricultural drainage and forest management services, “Discovery Farms” citizen science research, and development of a King County agriculture strategic plan.
For additional details click HERE.

KCD Initiates New Regional Food System Metrics Project

The KCD Board of Supervisors approved $125,000 in funding for the KCD Regional Food System Program to establish a benchmark and tracking system to measure progress toward achieving goals of the King County Local Food Initiative. In collaboration with King County and partner organizations, the Food System Program Metrics Project will catalog available farm-related food system data, develop a data mapping portal, support a local food system metrics dashboard, identify data gaps, and support baseline data collection to fill key data gaps.
The Metrics Project is one of a series of KCD initiatives that contribute to the economic viability of local farmers, encourage more new farmers, expand acreage in food production, improve food access, and increase demand for local farm products. See our website to learn more about the KCD Regional Food System Program.

King Conservation District initiated a new Urban Forest Health Management Program to assist local communities with stewarding street trees, urban backyards, and forested open spaces. Cities participating in the program's first year include Bothell, Lake Forest Park, Medina, and Shoreline, plus four cities participating in the King County-Cities Climate Collaboration: Burien, Normandy Park Sammamish, and Snoqualmie. See our website to learn more about the program: www.kingcd.org/programs-urban-forest.htm.

KCD Washington Conservation Corps Crews Featured on KING-5 News

The King Conservation District currently employs two Washington Conservation Corps crews with a total of 12 young people assisting with resource conservation projects across the county. Environmental reporter Alison Morrow highlighted the assistance WCC crewmembers provide private landowners in a KING-5 newscast.

KCD LIFT Program

The Local Institutional Food Team (LIFT) is here to help you source local food for your institution! We are a network of resource providers and industry experts that provide technical assistance to purchasers looking for local farm products and those wanting to start or participate in existing projects and programs that support local agriculture.More Information

Poultry Processing Equipment

King Conservation District provides low-cost rental of equipment for small-scale producers to safely process poultry for home consumption, or to slaughter poultry for direct marketing with a WSDA permit. At this time no other poultry processing equipment is available for rent in King County. The KCD project helps producers fill the demand for locally-grown chicken, turkey, and other poultry.More Information

Infrastructure Mapping Tool

In collaboration with King County and the Cascade Harvest Coalition, the King Conservation District has developed an easy-to-use online tool that farmers, cottage industry business owners, facility owners, and policy makers can access to expand opportunities for local food production in King County.More Information

Volunteer

A total of 772 volunteers contributed 2,872 service hours on KCD sponsored habitat restoration projects totaling $66,515.52 (based on Washington state compensation rate for matching purposes). Connect with your community and local environment to discover how you can be a better steward of the natural resources around you. Discover volunteer opportunities at www.kingcd.org/volunteer.

New Video Highlights Agricultural Drainage Program

At the KCD annual meeting King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert presented the premier screening of a new video about the about the Agricultural Drainage Program. Funded with support from the King County Flood Control District, the program enables participating farmers to return improve field drainage and return land to full production.

KCD Introduces New Urban Forest Program

The King Conservation District’s new Urban Forest Health Management Program will invest up to $150,000 annually for the next five years to help communities steward street trees, urban backyards, and forested open spaces. For details click here.

Employment Opportunities

Communications Coordinator
King Conservation District (KCD) has a full time opening for a Communications Coordinator. This position reports directly to the Engagement Director and is KCD’s primary storyteller.Position Announcement

Agriculture & Natural Resources Engineer
The King Conservation District is seeking qualified candidates for an Agriculture & Natural Resources Engineer position. This position requires a P.E. license and 8 years of relevant experience. Position details and instructions on submitting a resume and letter of interest are included in the “Position Announcement"Position Announcement

Program Manager- Farm Services
We are currently seeking candidates for the position of Program Manager- Farm Services. View job description